U.S. patent number 7,134,551 [Application Number 11/139,827] was granted by the patent office on 2006-11-14 for dispensing system for double stack carton.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Graphic Packaging International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Glen R. Harrelson.
United States Patent |
7,134,551 |
Harrelson |
November 14, 2006 |
Dispensing system for double stack carton
Abstract
The carton of this invention is capable of carrying the
plurality of containers stacked upon their ends in two tiers with a
unique dispenser that permits the dispensing of containers on their
sides. The dispenser is formed in a top side wall and extends into
the end wall with most of the end wall being torn open but leaving
a portion near the bottom side wall to prevent the bottom layer of
containers from rolling out. Angled projections in the dispensing
end of the carton near the top panel and bottom panel prevent the
top layer of containers from rolling out. A divider may be inserted
between the two tiers of containers to facilitate loading the
carton and preventing the containers from accidentally rolling out
when the dispenser is open.
Inventors: |
Harrelson; Glen R.
(Gainesville, GA) |
Assignee: |
Graphic Packaging International,
Inc. (Marietta, GA)
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Family
ID: |
32824568 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/139,827 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2005 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20050218203 A1 |
Oct 6, 2005 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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10365148 |
Feb 12, 2003 |
6918487 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/427; 229/122;
229/242; 221/305 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
5/725 (20130101); B65D 71/36 (20130101); B65D
5/541 (20130101); B65D 71/34 (20130101); B65D
2571/00401 (20130101); B65D 2571/0045 (20130101); B65D
2571/00574 (20130101); B65D 2571/00728 (20130101); B65D
2571/00141 (20130101); B65D 2571/00469 (20130101); B65D
2571/00549 (20130101); B65D 2571/0066 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
75/00 (20060101); A47F 1/04 (20060101); B65D
17/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;206/427,429-430
;221/303,305-309 ;229/240-242 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gehman; Bryon P.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
Rice, PLLC
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/365,148, filed Feb. 12, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,918,487,
which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Claims
Therefore, having thus described the invention, at least the
following is claimed:
1. An enclosed carton containing a plurality of cylindrical
containers arranged in stacked layers from a topmost layer to a
bottommost layer, including a first layer and a second layer
thereabove, the containers in each layer lying on their sides with
the containers in the first layer contacting the containers in the
second layer along a substantially horizontal plane, the carton
comprising: a first panel adjacent and above the topmost layer and
a second panel adjacent and below the bottommost layer, a third
panel joining one edge of the first panel to one edge of the second
panel, a fourth panel joining an other edge of the first panel to
an other edge of the second panel, and two closed ends, at least
one of the two closed ends being an exiting end, each closed end
extending from the first panel to the second panel and from the
third panel to the fourth panel; a continuous tear line defining a
removable portion that is removable from the carton to form an
opening; the opening comprising (1) a first area that includes a
part of the first panel extending away from its intersection with
the at least one exiting end, and (2) a second area that includes a
part of the at least one exiting end extending downwardly from its
intersection with the first panel; the second area having a bottom
edge which extends across the at least one exiting end below the
first panel and between the third panel and the fourth panel, and
comprises (1) at least one first portion positioned at a first
level, the first level being lower than the substantially
horizontal plane; and (2) at least one second portion that extends
from a second level, the second level being below the intersection
of the at least one exiting end and the first panel and higher than
the substantially horizontal plane, the at least one second portion
extending from said second level to the at least one first portion
of the bottom edge.
2. The carton of claim 1, where the at least one first portion of
the bottom edge is substantially equidistant between the third
panel and the fourth panel.
3. The carton of claim 1, wherein the at least one second portion
of the bottom edge extends from the intersection of the at least
one exiting end and one of the third and fourth panels.
4. The carton of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge includes two
second portions, each of which extends from the second level to the
first portion of the bottom edge.
5. The carton of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge of the opening
extends from the intersection of the at least one exiting end and
the third panel at the second level to the first level, then from
the first level to the intersection of the at least one exiting end
and the fourth panel at the second level.
6. The carton of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge prevents the
containers in the second layer from rolling out of the carton when
the removable portion is removed.
7. The carton of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge prevents the
containers in the first layer from rolling out of the carton when
the removable portion is removed.
8. The carton of claim 1, wherein the at least one first and second
portions of the bottom edge prevent the containers in the first and
second layers from rolling out of the carton when the removable
portion is removed.
9. The carton of claim 1, including means for facilitating opening
of the opening located on the first panel.
10. The carton of claim 1, wherein there are three layers of
containers.
11. The carton of claim 10, wherein the containers are stacked in a
3-by-4 configuration.
12. The carton of claim 1, wherein the containers in the second
layer are removable through the opening.
13. The carton of claim 1, wherein the containers are oriented with
their longitudinal axes parallel to the at least one exiting
end.
14. An enclosed carton containing a plurality of cylindrical
containers having a diameter and arranged on their sides in stacked
horizontal layers, including a first layer and a second layer above
and adjacent the first layer, the carton comprising: a first upper
horizontal panel, a second lower horizontal panel, and third and
fourth vertical side panels, the first, second, third and fourth
panels being joined at their edges, the carton having two closed
ends, at least one of which is an exiting end; a tear line defining
a removable portion that is removable from the carton to form an
opening; the removable portion including a section of the first
panel adjacent the at least one exiting end, and a section of the
at least one exiting end adjacent the first panel; the section of
the at least one exiting end including an upper portion and a lower
portion; the lower portion having a width that is less than the
width of the at least one exiting end, the lower portion extending
upwardly to the upper portion from a first level which is part way
up the diameter of the containers in the first layer; the upper
portion extending from one side of the at least one exiting end to
the other; wherein the upper portion meets the lower portion at a
second level that is above the diameter of the containers in the
first layer and below the top of the containers in the second
layer.
15. The carton of claim 14, wherein the distance of the second
level from the top of the upper portion is slightly less than the
distance of the bottom of the containers in the second layer from
the top of the upper portion.
16. The carton of claim 14, wherein the second level is so located
that when the removable portion is removed, the second layer of
containers will be prevented from rolling out of the carton.
17. The carton of claim 14, wherein the lower portion is so
configured that when the removable portion is removed, the first
and second layers of containers will be prevented from rolling out
of the carton.
18. The carton of claim 14, wherein the width of the lower portion
increases as it extends upwardly to said upper portion.
19. The carton of claim 14, including means for facilitating
removal of the removable portion on the first panel.
20. The carton of claim 14, including three layers of
containers.
21. The carton of claim 20, wherein the containers are stacked in a
3-by-4 configuration.
22. The carton of claim 14, wherein the containers are oriented
with their longitudinal axes parallel to the at least one exiting
end.
23. A carton enclosing a plurality of cylindrical articles arranged
on their sides in rows and columns, a first column being adjacent a
first end of the carton, a top row cylindrical article being in a
top row, being in the first column, and having a diameter, the
carton comprising: a top panel, two side panels, and a bottom
panel; at least one flap forming the first end of the carton and at
least one flap forming a second end of the carton; the first end
comprising a detachable portion and a retainer portion; the
detachable portion removes an upper portion of the first end that
is less than the diameter of the top row cylindrical article; and
the retainer portion retains the top row cylindrical article in the
carton after the detachable portion is removed.
24. The carton of claim 23, wherein an upper portion of the top row
cylindrical article is adjacent the top panel of the carton, and
wherein the upper portion of the top row cylindrical article is
exposed when the detachable portion is removed from the carton.
25. The carton of claim 23, wherein the retainer portion extends
obliquely toward a lower portion of the first end.
26. The carton of claim 23, wherein the detachable portion extends
obliquely downward from a side panel to a parallel portion parallel
to the bottom panel.
27. The carton of claim 26, wherein the parallel portion is
disposed lower than the retainer portion that retains the top row
cylindrical article.
28. The carton of claim 26, wherein removal of the detachable
portion creates an opening in the first end to allow removal of a
cylindrical article in a row below the top row after the top row
cylindrical article has been removed from the carton.
29. The carton of claim 23, wherein the structural integrity of the
carton is maintained after removal of the detachable portion.
30. The carton of claim 23, wherein a finger flap assists removal
of the detachable portion.
31. The carton of claim 30, wherein the finger flap is disposed in
the top panel.
32. The carton of claim 23, wherein the detachable portion is
formed by a substantially continuous tear line that extends in the
first end below the top panel a first distance and extends at a
first angle and at a second angle on either side of a parallel
portion parallel to the bottom panel.
33. A package comprising a plurality of cylindrical articles
disposed on their sides in rows and columns, a first column being
adjacent a first end of the package, a top row cylindrical article
being in a top row, being in the first column, and having a
diameter, the package comprising: a top panel, two side panels, and
a bottom panel; at least one flap forming the first end of the
package and at least one flap forming a second end of the package;
the first end comprising a detachable portion and a retainer
portion; the detachable portion removes an upper portion of the
first end that is less than the diameter of the top row cylindrical
article; and the retainer portion retains the top row cylindrical
article in the package after the detachable portion is removed.
34. The package of claim 33, wherein an upper portion of the top
row cylindrical article is adjacent the top panel of the package,
and wherein the upper portion of the top row cylindrical article is
exposed when the detachable portion is removed from the
package.
35. The package of claim 33, wherein the retainer portion extends
obliquely toward a lower portion of the first end.
36. The package of claim 33, wherein the detachable portion extends
obliquely downward from a side panel to a parallel portion parallel
to the bottom panel.
37. The package of claim 36, wherein the parallel portion is
disposed lower than the retainer portion that retains the top row
cylindrical article.
38. The package of claim 36, wherein removal of the detachable
portion creates an opening in the first end to allow removal of a
cylindrical article in a row below the top row after the top row
cylindrical article has been removed from the package.
39. The package of claim 33, wherein the structural integrity of
the package is maintained after removal of the detachable
portion.
40. The package of claim 33, wherein a finger flap assists removal
of the detachable portion.
41. The package of claim 40, wherein the finger flap is disposed in
the top panel.
42. The package of claim 33, wherein the detachable portion is
formed by a substantially continuous tear line that extends in the
first end below the top panel a first distance and extends at a
first angle and at a second angle on either side of a parallel
portion.
43. A carton enclosing a plurality of cylindrical articles arranged
on their sides in rows and columns, a first column being adjacent a
first end of the carton, the carton comprising: a top panel, two
side panels, and a bottom panel; at least one flap forming the
first end of the carton and at least one flap forming a second end
of the carton; the first end comprising a detachable portion and a
retainer portion; the detachable portion removes an upper portion
of the first end that is less than a diameter of a cylindrical
article; and the retainer portion retains all the cylindrical
articles in the first column in the carton after the detachable
portion is removed.
44. A carton blank comprising: a top panel including a finger flap;
a first side panel foldably connected to the top panel at a first
fold line; a second side panel foldably connected to the top panel
at a second fold line; a first side panel end flap foldably
connected to the first side panel at a third fold line; a second
side panel end flap foldably connected to the second side panel at
a fourth fold line; at least one tear line defining a dispenser
flap in the top panel; wherein the at least one tear line extends
from the finger flap obliquely to the first side panel end flap and
obliquely to the second side panel end flap; wherein the at least
one tear line extends a distance D along the third fold line and
along the fourth fold line; wherein the at least one tear line
extends obliquely at an angle B in the first side panel end flap
and in the second side panel end flap, continues a distance,
extends obliquely at an angle A in the first side panel end flap
and in the second side panel end flap, and extends to a marginal
portion of the first side panel end flap and the second side panel
end flap.
45. A carton formed from the blank of claim 44.
46. A method of erecting a carton from the blank of claim 44.
47. In combination, a parallelepiped carton formed from the blank
of claim 44, and a plurality of containers within the carton.
48. A carton blank comprising: a first panel including a finger
flap and a first panel end flap; a second panel foldably connected
to the first panel at a first fold line; a third panel foldably
connected to the first panel at a second fold line; a second panel
end flap foldably connected to the second panel at a third fold
line; a third panel end flap foldably connected to the third panel
at a fourth fold line; at least one tear line defining a dispenser
flap in the first panel; wherein the at least one tear line extends
from the finger flap obliquely to the second panel end flap and
obliquely to the third panel end flap; wherein the at least one
tear line extends a distance D both along the third fold line and
along the fourth fold line; wherein the at least one tear line
extends obliquely at an angle B in the second panel end flap and in
the third panel end flap, continues a first distance, extends
obliquely at an angle A in the second panel end flap and in the
third panel end flap, and extends to a marginal portion of the
second panel end flap and the third panel end flap.
49. A carton formed from the blank of claim 48.
50. A method of erecting a carton from the blank of claim 48.
51. In combination, a parallelepiped carton formed from the blank
of claim 48, and a plurality of containers within the carton.
52. A carton blank comprising: a first panel; a second panel; a
third panel; a second panel end flap; a third panel end flap; at
least one tear line in the first panel; wherein the at least one
tear line extends from an intermediate portion of the first panel
obliquely to the second panel end flap and obliquely to the third
panel end flap; wherein the at least one tear line extends a
distance D both along the second panel end flap and along the third
panel end flap; wherein the at least one tear line extends
obliquely at an angle B in the second panel end flap and in the
third panel end flap, continues a first distance, extends obliquely
at an angle A in the second panel end flap and in the third panel
end flap, and extends to a marginal portion of the second panel end
flap and the third panel end flap.
53. The blank of claim 52 wherein the first panel includes a finger
flap and a first panel end flap.
54. The blank of claim 52 wherein the second panel is foldably
connected to the first panel at a first fold line.
55. The blank of claim 54 wherein the third panel is foldably
connected to the first panel at a second fold line.
56. The blank of claim 55 wherein the second panel end flap is
foldably connected to the second panel at a third fold line.
57. The blank of claim 56 wherein the third panel end flap is
foldably connected to the third panel at a fourth fold line.
58. A carton formed from the blank of claim 52.
59. A method of erecting a carton from the blank of claim 52.
60. In combination, a parallelepiped carton formed from the blank
of claim 52, and a plurality of containers within the carton.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an enclosed paperboard
carton capable of enclosing containers in two tiers, which carton
has a unique opening and dispensing feature that allows the
containers, for example, cans, to be removed or dispensed one
container per tier at a time without destroying the overall
structural integrity of the carton. The unique opening and
dispensing feature can be incorporated in cartons containing a
plurality of layers of containers stacked on end and still limit
the dispensing to one container per tier at a time.
2. Background
Fully enclosed cartons capable of enclosing cans have been used in
the past that have a feature for dispensing the cans one at a time.
Dispensers have been provided at various locations on these cartons
depending on the design.
Cartons have been introduced into the marketplace that can carry 24
or more containers, for example cans, in two stacks or tiers. So
far no satisfactory dispenser has been developed for dispensing the
layers of cans in these two stack cartons one at a time from each
stack or tier. Consequently, when these cartons are opened they
tend to let a number of the cans roll out which has not allowed
these twin stack cartons to achieve their full potential.
3. Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 3,265,283 to Farquhar discloses a fully enclosed
carton having a dispenser for dispensing the enclosed cans. The end
wall of the carton has a dispensing flap which can be folded down
upon opening. An aperture formed by the flap extends into the side
walls to permit grasping of the can to withdraw it from the carton.
When the flap is opened, the cans are held in the carton by an
arcuate flap portion extending downwardly in the end wall into the
center of the aperture. The structural integrity of this carton is
compromised because the entire bottom end of the carton is opened.
It will be realized that the design of this dispenser is not
satisfactory for dispensing containers, for example cans, that are
stacked in twin stacks in a carton.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,509 to Holly, Jr. et al. also discloses a fully
enclosed carton with a dispenser in one of the end walls. This
dispenser is likewise formed in the end wall by tearing out an end
flap and lowering it into proper position. Expansion slits are
provided in the side wall for the user's fingers to grasp the ends
of the existing can. The dispenser of this carton is not
satisfactory for use in a twin stack carton for carrying
containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to develop a dispenser for
dispensing containers, for example cans, one at a time from a
carton containing containers in two stacks or tiers. It is the
further object of this invention to develop a dispenser that can be
easily opened. A further object of this invention is to develop a
dispenser that can be used for containers stacked in a 3 by 4
configuration in each stack to be dispensed one at a time from each
stack without the containers rolling out accidentally. A final
object of this invention is to develop a dispenser for a twin stack
carton that does not destroy the structural integrity of the carton
when it is opened.
Briefly described, in its preferred form, the objects of this
invention are achieved by providing an enclosed carton for carrying
containers in two tiers for dispensing the containers one at a time
from each tier from the exiting end of the carton. The carton is
generally rectangular and has a bottom, top, two sides, a closed
end and exiting end. The carton is foldably constructed from a
blank having panels and flaps. The carton is designed to carry
containers, e.g. cans, that are stacked on their ends in two tiers
from the bottom panel to the top panel. The dispenser is
constructed by providing tear lines in one of the side panels that
extend into the exiting end of the carton which is rested on the
other side panel, with the dispenser being capable of dispensing
the containers as they are resting on their sides. A tear line is
provided in the end of the carton placed from the side upon which
the carton rests while dispensing containers at a sufficient
distance to prevent any of the containers below the top layer of
containers from rolling out of the carton when the dispenser is
open. A pair of tear lines extend from this bottom tear line from
each end at an angle from the bottom tear line to the top side
panel in which part of the dispenser is formed. The angle and
distance of the projection is such as to restrain the top layer of
cans in each tier from accidentally rolling out. The dispenser is
constructed with a large enough opening in the top side panel in
which it is formed to permit a person to grasp and remove a
container in each tier one at a time.
This carton can be designed with a dispenser dispensing containers
in a 3 by 4 configuration in each tier. The bottom tear line is
located so as to prevent the bottom layers of containers from
rolling out of the carton. A pair of tear lines extending from the
ends of the bottom tear line are placed at an angle designed to
restrain containers in the top layer from rolling out of the
carton.
Because a carton for carrying 24 containers is placed under a great
deal of stress, the top panel can be constructed from two handle
flaps having a reinforcing strip attached to the inside handle flap
folded over against the inside of the carton between the two oval
handle apertures carrying the carton.
To facilitate holding the containers and dispensing them one at a
time a divider may be provided between each tier of containers.
To facilitate opening the carton dispenser, a pull tab can be
provided in the side panel where part of the dispenser is located,
with the pull tab being loosely attached to the panel, but tightly
attached to the dispenser for opening the dispenser.
Preferably the exiting end of the carton has four flaps for closing
this end. An end flap attached to the side of the carton on which
it is resting while the containers are being dispensed is generally
not removed and serves to restrain one or more of the bottom layers
of containers from rolling out of the carton. Preferably the tear
lines in the end flaps attached to the top panel, and bottom panel
are constructed so that a portion of each of these flaps is not
removed and are glued to the flap attached to the side panel on
which the carton rests during dispensing to preserve the integrity
of the carton.
Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will
become apparent upon reading the following specification, when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the blank of the preferred embodiment of
this invention from which a carton is formed.
FIG. 2 is a perspective top view of the carton of the preferred
embodiment loaded with two tiers of cans in a 3 by 4 configuration
in each tier with a person starting to open the dispenser.
FIG. 3 is a perspective top view of the carton with a dispenser
pulled part way open.
FIG. 4 is a perspective end view of the carton with cans in each
tier in a 3 by 4 configuration with the dispenser being opened
except for the bottom tear line.
FIG. 5 is perspective end view of the carton loaded with two tiers
of cans in a 3 by 4 configuration with the dispenser completely
removed but all the cans being contained in the carton.
FIG. 6 is a perspective end of the carton of FIG. 5 showing a
person removing a can from the top tier of cans.
FIG. 7 is a perspective end view of the carton of FIG. 6 showing
that a can has been removed from the top tier and from the bottom
tier of cans.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is intended primarily for use with cans of
the types used to contain soft drinks, beer and the like. The blank
10 is formed from a foldable sheet of material, such a paperboard.
The blank 10 has an outside handle flap 12 which is attached to the
top side panel 14 by fold line 16 which in turn is attached to
bottom panel 18 by fold line 20, which in turn is attached to
bottom side panel 22 by fold line 24. Bottom side panel 22 is
foldably attached to inside handle flap 26 by fold line 28. The
carton is supplied with a number of end flaps for closing the ends
of the carton. The outside handle flap 12 is attached to outside
top end flap 30 by fold line 32 and outside handle flap 12 is
attached to outside top end flap 34 by fold line 36. Top side flap
38 is attached to top side panel 14 by fold line 32. Top side panel
14 is attached to top side flap 42 by fold line 36. Bottom panel 18
is attached to bottom end flap 46 by fold line 32 and to bottom end
flap 50 by fold line 36. Bottom side panel 22 is attached to bottom
side flap 52 by fold line 32 and to bottom side flap 54 by fold
line 36. Inside handle flap 26 is attached to inside top end flap
56 by fold line 32 and to the inside top end flap 58 by fold line
36.
This carton has a pair of race track handles 60 and 62 formed in
outside handle flap 12 and inside handle flap 26 respectively.
Because this carton is designed to carry 24 containers, such as
cans, it is provided with a handle reinforcing flap 64 attached to
inside handle flap 26 by fold line 66.
A dispensing flap 68 is partially formed in top side panel 14 by
tear line 70. To facilitate opening this dispenser, a pull tab 72
is provided to facilitate opening the dispensing flap 68. The pull
tab 72 is loosely attached to top side panel 14. Pull tab 72 has a
slit 74 between it and top side panel 14 to ease pulling of the
pull tab from the plane of top side panel 14. Pull tab 72 is
attached to dispensing flap 68 by fold line 76. A slit 78 may be
provided in the middle of pull tab 72 to ease its removal from top
side panel 14.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the carton
of the present invention is generally symmetrical about a
horizontal line of bisection, as viewed when FIG. 1 is rotated
lengthwise. This symmetry aids in the efficient production of the
present carton.
In forming this blank 10 into a carton, the handle reinforcing flap
64 is folded along fold line 66 and glued to the inside handle flap
26. The blank 10 is then folded so that outside handle flap 12 is
glued to inside handle flap 26 so that the two oval handles 60 and
62 are parallel to each other. These steps result in forming a
carton sleeve in which cans can be loaded in the bottling plant.
The cans can be placed in two tiers of a 3 by 4 configuration. This
is best illustrated in FIG. 7 which shows the top tier 92 located
near the top of the carton and the bottom tier 94 located near the
bottom of the carton. In order to maintain the two tiers of cans in
proper alignment during loading and when dispensed to the consumer,
a divider 90 may be necessary. The divider 90 can be made out of a
single sheet of paperboard.
After the two tiers of cans have been loaded into the carton
various end flaps on both ends are closed and glued. To use the end
of the carton where the dispenser is located as an example, the top
side flap 42 is folded inwardly, bottom side flap 54 is folded
inwardly, bottom end flap 50 is folded in an overlapping position,
and glued to top side flap 42 and bottom side flap 54. Outside top
end flap 34 and inside top end flap 58 are glued together to form a
single top end flap which is likewise glued to top side flap 42 and
bottom side flap 54. The other end of the carton is closed in the
same manner.
When the dispenser is opened, dispensing flap 68, which includes
top side flap 42, is removed from the carton along with a portion
of outside end flap 34 and bottom end flap 50 along tear line 70.
In order to preserve the structural integrity of the carton after
the dispenser has been opened, it is important that end retention
panel 82 be glued to inside top end flap 58 which in turn is glued
to bottom side flap 54. Otherwise, the end retention projection 86
will not be firmly attached to carton. It is likewise important
that end retention panel 80 be glued to bottom side flap 54 in
order to ensure that end retention projection 84 is firmly attached
to the carton after the dispenser is opened.
It should be realized that dispensers could be placed on both ends
of the carton, but preferably it is only placed on one end. Cans
can be removed from the exiting end of the carton after tear line
70 has been torn. The pair of tear lines 70 converge towards each
other towards pull tab 72. Tear line 70 extends along fold line 36
between bottom end flap 50 and bottom panel 18 for a distance D and
turns at an angle B and turns again at angle A to form a portion of
bottom tear line 96. On the other side of top side panel 14, tear
line 70 extends to fold line 36 and extends along that line and
turns into the interior of outside top end flap 34 at angle B until
it turns to form bottom line 96 at angle A.
The consumer can open dispensing flap 68 by inserting his or her
fingers into pull tab 72 which is an easy maneuver because of slit
74. In place of slit 74, a tear line that is loosely attached to
top side panel 14 may be substituted in lieu of the slit. Insertion
of the fingers into the aperture formed by depressing pull tab 72
is illustrated in FIG. 2. It will be noticed that the carton has
been turned 9O.degree. so that it rests on bottom side panel 22.
Outside handle flap 12 and inside handle flap 26 form the top
panel. The consumer precedes to pull pull tab 72 upward which is
connected by fold line 76 to dispensing flap 68 which is pulled up
as illustrated in FIG. 3. Continued tearing open of the dispenser
is illustrated in FIG. 4. The dispenser is opened along tear line
70 which extends on both sides so that the dispensing flap 68 is
torn open along fold line 36 and into the interior of outside top
end flap 34 and bottom end flap 50 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The
tearing continues down to the point where tear line 70 forms bottom
tear line 96 which has not yet been torn as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5
illustrates a complete removal of the dispenser by tearing along
bottom tear line 96. Even though the entire dispenser has been
removed in FIG. 5, the cans are retained in the carton even though
the cans are lying on their sides. The bottom two layers of cans in
the 3 by 4 configuration are prevented from rolling out of the
carton by bottom side flap 54 to which end retention panels 80 and
82 are glued. It will be noticed that bottom side flap 54 only
extends part way up the diameter of the cans in the second layer of
the two tiers. The top layer of cans in the two tiers is prevented
from rolling out by end retention projections 84 and 86. Tear line
70 only extends along fold line 36 a distance D which is slightly
less than the diameter of the top layer of cans being contained.
This is sufficient to prevent the top layer of cans from rolling
out of the carton but yet not prevent an obstacle to their easy
removal by the consumer. Tear line 70 turns at an angle B and then
turns again at angle A to form the bottom tear line 96 on both
outside top end flap 34 and bottom end flap 50. It will be realized
that end retention projections 84 and 86 are helpful in retaining
the top layer of cans in the carton. The extent of this help
depends upon the location of the bottom tear line 96 in relation to
the layers of cans C.
FIG. 6 illustrates a consumer removing a can from the top tier 92
of cans C. It will be noticed that the consumer moves a can by
twisting it slightly along its longitudinal axis and removing the
bottom end of the can C first as it easily slides along the divider
90. It is necessary to remove the can in this way as the top of the
can is retained in position by end retention projection 86. The end
retention projections 84 and 86 are important as it is desirable
that the cans in the top layer not roll out when the dispenser is
open. The divider 90 and end retention projections 84 and 86 are
designed to ensure that the top layer of cans adjacent the
dispenser not roll out accidentally. FIG. 7 illustrates a carton
with cans from each tier having been removed with the remaining
cans held in place.
Because the blank 10 is designed to carry 24 cans in two tiers, it
will be appreciated that the carton is heavy when loaded with cans.
It is preferred that the top panel be composed of an outside handle
flap 12 and an inside handle flap 26 and handle reinforcing flap 64
be utilized. In addition, stress lines 88 that are designed to
dissipate the stress posed by lifting the carton handle 60 and 62
can be utilized. It should be realized that the carton sleeves can
be glued together at other locations but is preferred to be glued
at the top panel.
It will be noticed that the tear lines 70 in top side panel 14
converge towards each other and extend away from fold line 36 to
provide a large enough opening when dispensing flap 68 is removed
to permit a person to grasp cans in the top layer in each tier near
the exiting end of the carton.
A carton for carrying cans is preferred since these containers have
ends that are of the same diameter as the body of the
container.
UNIQUE FEATURES OF THE DISPENSER OF THIS INVENTION
One of the unique features of the dispenser of this invention is
that is permits the easy dispensing of containers that are stacked
in two tiers. The carton is unique in that it carries the
containers in their upright position, but dispenses them when the
containers are on their side. Placement of the bottom tear line in
the dispenser will restrain all but the top layer of containers
from rolling out. An angled projection on each side of the
dispenser can be utilized to prevent the top layer of containers
from rolling out. The provision of a divider is important in
maintaining the configuration of the containers into two tiers
during loading and dispensing.
While the invention has been disclosed in its preferred forms, it
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many
modifications, additions, and deletions can be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and its
equivalents as set forth in the following claims.
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